Department for Transport

Highways Agency

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the efficiency savings his Department has gained from the reorganisation of the Highways Agency to Highways England; and what the budget of that body was in each of the last five years.

Andrew Jones: It is too early to estimate the efficiency savings gained from the reorganisation of Highways England which was created on 1 April 2015. The Department for Transport published the Roads Reform Programme Evaluation Framework in March. This includes a clear expectation that the evaluation will be carried out over a number of years, given the number of the changes made. In addition the Office of Rail and Road, will continue to monitor the performance of Highways England including efficiencies. The table below shows the capital expenditure of Highways England, with resource spend and the depreciation of road asset value.Resource (excl.depreciation)(£m)Resource Depreciation (£m)Capital (£m)2014/151,0008661,8232013/141,0129291,4252012/131,0389141,0342011/121,1458701,2882010/111,2147751,654

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of how many (a) drivers and (b) drivers under 25 were using black box technology in each of the last five years.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport has not made any such estimates. There are a number of behavioural, educational and technological interventions that have the potential to help improve young driver safety. We need better evidence about what works best, so we’re working with insurance companies to see how we can assess the impact of telematics products on young driver safety.

Bus Services: Subsidies

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of how many subsidised bus routes have been withdrawn since 2010.

Andrew Jones: The provision of bus services that require subsidy is a matter for individual English local authorities, in the light of their other spending priorities. Latest figures (2013-14) show that £318m a year was spent by local authorities (outside London) doing so.My Department also provides around £40m of Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) funding directly to English local authorities to help deliver bus services. This central funding has been ring-fenced until 2016-17.

Transport: Finance

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's plans are for long-term local sustainable transport funding.

Andrew Jones: All future budgets, including those for sustainable transport, remain subject to Spending Review negotiations. Further information will be made available after the outcome of the Spending Review is announced on 25 November.

Southern: Rolling Stock

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of cascading Class 319 rolling stock to Southern's Coastway Stopping services once the full fleet of Class 700 trains are in operation on the Thameslink routes.

Claire Perry: The Government remains determined to provide better, more comfortable journeys for passengers. However, it is for the relevant train operator to determine the type and quantity of rolling stock that is deployed on a particular route. When cascaded stock is available, it is for the operator to decide whether to bid for them.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Communities and Local Government: Digital Technology

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of efficiency savings arising from his Department's digital strategies in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.

Brandon Lewis: As a result of cross-Government digital and technology strategies, £1.7 billion was saved in 2014/15. This sum was audited against a 2009/10 baseline.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what change there has been in the number of firefighter posts was in Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Avon Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Greg Clark: Information on the number of full time equivalent firefighter posts for each fire and rescue service and for each year, together with greater detail, is available in the Department’s Fire and Rescue Operational Statistics publication (Table 2 for full time equivalent posts) at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-and-rescue-authorities-operational-statistics

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in Dorset Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Greg Clark: Information on the number of full time equivalent firefighter posts for each fire and rescue service and for each year, together with greater detail, is available in the Department’s Fire and Rescue Operational Statistics publication (Table 2 for full time equivalent posts) at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-and-rescue-authorities-operational-statistics

Air Force: Military Bases

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce further proposals to protect airfields from redevelopment.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will designate airfields as greenfield sites.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of airfields on land designated as brownfield sites.

Brandon Lewis: National planning policy already requires local planning authorities to take account of airfields’ growth and role in serving business, leisure, training and emergency needs. In March we issued guidance emphasising the need for local planning authorities to have regard to the extent to which an aerodrome contributes to connectivity outside the authority’s own boundaries.Currently, all airfields, as land that has been previously developed, are regarded as brownfield land.We will work with the aviation sector to ensure the current policy relating to development on airfields is better understood.

Olympic Games 2012: Council Tax

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the London Olympic council tax precept (a) has raised in each year of its existence and (b) is predicted to raise in the remaining years of its existence.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Affordable Housing

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the Government's aim to build 275,000 affordable homes during this Parliament will be in addition to the Government's aim to deliver 200,000 new Starter Homes.

Brandon Lewis: The Government remains committed to delivering 275,000 new affordable homes between 2015 and 2020. This means we will build more new affordable homes than during any equivalent period in the last twenty years.The Government is committed to building 200,000 starter homes over the course of this Parliament, to provide affordable homes for purchase with 20% discount are available to first time buyers under 40.

Communities and Local Government: Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what average time his Department took to respond to freedom of information requests in each year since 2005.

Brandon Lewis: The Government publishes statistics on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 within central government, including on timeliness. These can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.

Infrastructure: Government Assistance

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what support the Government will give communities hosting (a) new nuclear power stations and (b) other nationally significant infrastructure projects (i) during and (ii) after construction, to ensure that they have the infrastructure necessary to support the development.

James Wharton: The potential impacts on communities, including infrastructure, are examined through the process for obtaining development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects under the 2008 Planning Act, which includes consent for new nuclear power stations.In particular, the local planning authority is expected to produce a local impact report to outline the effects of the infrastructure on the local community and any mitigation that may be required. This mitigation may relate to infrastructure needed to support the development and may be monetary, secured through a section 106 agreement between the developer and other parties or a unilateral undertaking by the developer; or it may be physical changes to the application scheme.In addition, the Department of Energy and Climate Change and other Government departments hold regular meetings with key stakeholders from local communities that are affected by proposed new nuclear projects. These meetings consider and address issues raised by the community, including infrastructure where appropriate.

Homelessness: Croydon

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department provided to Croydon Council in Homeless Prevention Grant in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14, (c) 2014-15 and (d) 2015-16.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service: Staff

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what change there was in the number of firefighter posts in Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what change there was in the number of firefighter posts in Kent Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what change there was in the number of firefighter posts in the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what change there was in the number of firefighter posts in Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what change there was in the number of firefighter posts in Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.

Greg Clark: Information on the number of full time equivalent firefighter posts for each fire and rescue service and for each year, together with greater detail, is available in the Department’s Fire and Rescue Operational Statistics publication (Table 2 for full time equivalent posts) at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-and-rescue-authorities-operational-statistics

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Indonesia: Christianity

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Indonesian counterpart on the recent persecution and violence against Christians in Aceh Province.

Mr Hugo Swire: The British Government takes freedom of religion or belief extremely seriously and regularly urges governments to protect the right of all individuals to practise their religion or belief free from persecution or discrimination. Staff from our Embassy in Jakarta visit Indonesia's provinces regularly, discussing our concerns with government officials, civil society leaders and religious communities. We welcome the comments made by Indonesian President Joko Widodo following the violence in Aceh, in which he said that any violence of any kind – especially violence around religion and belief - will destroy diversity.We also note action taken by Indonesia on protection of religious beliefs, including a Bill on protections for religious and faith communities, on which we have offered UK assistance and expertise.

Turkey: Christianity

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Turkish counterpart on concluding the trial of five men accused of murdering three Christian missionaries in 2007.

Mr David Lidington: Her Majesty’s Government has previously condemned this shocking attack in Malatya and welcomed the Turkish Government's determination to bring the perpetrators to justice. We continue to monitor this case and human rights developments in Turkey closely, including through regular bilateral discussions with our Turkish counterparts.We continue to encourage Turkey to work towards meeting EU standards on all human rights, especially in the areas of freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and minority rights, including tackling hate crimes. We also fund a number of projects with minority groups in Turkey, including religious communities, aimed at promoting their inclusion.

Counter-terrorism and Syria

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the 2013 Lough Erne G8 Leaders' Communiqué, published on 18 June 2013, what progress has been made on implementing the commitments in paragraph (a) 5, (b) 6 and (c) 7 of that document; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington: ISIL now poses a significant threat to regional and international peace and security. The UK continues to work closely with our G7 partners, including as part of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and Counter-ISIL coalition; with governments across the Middle East and North Africa, building their ability to counter radicalisation, tackle terrorist threats and reduce the number of individuals seeking to join terrorist groups in Syria, Libya and elsewhere; and at the UN, where we have co-sponsored a number of important Security Council Resolutions. On kidnap for ransom there has been significant progress: in January 2014, the UK sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2133, which built on the Lough Erne Leaders’ Communiqué and reinforced the international consensus not to make concessions to terrorist kidnappers. Since the resolution was adopted, we have continued to encourage other states to abide by this international commitment. We have also continued to strengthen our own domestic legislation in line with the Lough Erne commitments. On Syria, the UK continues, with G7 partners, to support efforts to resume political talks, based on the implementation of the 2012 Geneva Communiqué. To address the significant humanitarian crisis, the UK has supported the adoption of UN Security Council Resolutions 2139, 2165 and 2191 (which call for the protection of civilians and unhindered delivery of aid to those most in need) and has now pledged over £1.1 billion in support. In Libya, the UK has continued to support UN efforts to reach a lasting political agreement. The UK Special Envoy to the Libyan Political Transition, Jonathan Powell, and the UK diplomatic network are working hard with key Libyan interlocutors and international partners. Most recently, the UK co-hosted a meeting with the UN in London on 19 October, to discuss how the international community will support a new unity government in Libya.

Syria: Refugees

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much the Government has (a) spent to date and (b) allocated for future spending to (i) his Department, (ii) the Department for International Development and (iii) the UNHCR to identify people for the vulnerable Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme.

Mr Philip Hammond: Holding answer received on 05 November 2015



In the Financial Year 2014/15, Government expenditure on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme totalled £1.702m. These costs were partially offset by EU funding of £0.993m. Information on costs for FY 2015/16 is not yet available.On 7 September, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) announced an expanded scheme involving the Department for International Development, the Home Office and local authorities. The anticipated costs of this scheme are currently being analysed by these departments and we expect to agree indicative costings soon. Any further allocations to specific departments will be decided during the Government spending review.The Government has offered funding and other support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in order to identify individuals for resettlement. The Government’s Syria resettlement team, overseen by the Home Office, is currently finalising the details of this support package.Overall, the UK has committed more than £1.1bn in aid towards alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people and bolstering Syria's neighbours.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the security situation in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly reviews the security situation in Sri Lanka. Current advice on this is posted on the Government’s foreign travel advice website on the “Safety and Security” page.

Islamic State: Yazidis

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether attacks by ISIL against Iraqi Yazidis constitute to genocide.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government believes that recognition of genocides should be a matter for international courts. It should be a legal, rather than political determination, decided by international judges after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible international judicial process. I deplore the targeting and persecution of Yezidis and other minorities by the so called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. We continue to urge the Government of Iraq to do all it can to ensure the security and rights of all minority communities in Iraq, including the Yezidi. We are working in Iraq to build consensus around the importance of freedom of religion or belief; and supporting practical projects on community dialogue with civil society and faith groups. The UK is supporting the international humanitarian relief effort in Iraq by providing £79.5m to help the 3.2 million internally displaced Iraqis, including many who have fled their homes on account of ISIL’s persecution on the grounds of religion. The money is providing clean water, sanitation, essential medicines, and funding for NGOs and charities, some of which is specifically designed to protect women and children.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to his oral Answer of 22 October 2015, Official Report, column 444WH, what steps he has taken to assess whether British-manufactured arms have been used in a responsible manner in Yemen.

Mr Philip Hammond: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to his oral Answer of 22 October 2015, Official Report, column 445WH, what steps he has since taken to try and persuade the parties to the conflict to adopt an immediate ceasefire in Yemen.

Mr Philip Hammond: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what average time his Department took to respond to freedom of information requests in each year since 2005.

Mr David Lidington: The Government publishes statistics on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 within central government, including on timeliness. These can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

Armed Conflict: Schools

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether it is his policy to (a) support the Safe Schools Declaration which arose from the Oslo conference on safe schools in May 2015 and (b) implement the Guidelines on Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict, published by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack.

Mr Philip Hammond: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Yemen: Cluster Munitions

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on whether cluster munitions have been used in Yemen.

Mr Philip Hammond: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Attorney General

Law Officers' Departments: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Attorney General, how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials in the Law Officers' Departments in each of the last three years.

Jeremy Wright: Non-consolidated performance related awards are only paid to reward excellence, for example to recognise and incentivise those responsible for delivering high quality public services and savings to the taxpayer. Those one-off payments are not pensionable. Furthermore, since 2010/11 the Government has restricted awards for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers (from 65% in previous years), saving around £15 million overall.A table showing information on performance related awards made by the Law Officers’ Departments during the past three financial years is presented below.Law Officer’s Departments – Performance awards Financial Year 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15Year endIn yearYear endIn yearYear endIn yearGovernment Legal Department **£531,105£144,013£755,080£139,635*£182,376Crown Prosecution Service ***£128,347None£98,261None£115,453NoneSerious Fraud Office£235,872£34,293£236,051£75,946£232,080£92,505* The year-end figures for the 2014/15 performance year are not yet finalised.** The increase in the sums for GLD reflects the fact that the department has significantly increased in size each year since 2011, as a result of consolidation of government legal teams into a single department. The GLD data also covers the Attorney General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.*** The only bonus scheme operated within the CPS is for SCS grades or the equivalent Senior Legal Manager (SLM) grades.Further details on staff numbers and costs, including performance related pay are published in the respective departmental Annual Report and Accounts.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Sahaviriya Steel Industries UK: Redcar

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will assess the performance of the Official Receiver during the liquidation of SSI UK.

Anna Soubry: It is not part of the Secretary of State’s functions to assess the performance of the Official Receiver when acting as liquidator. The Secretary of State cannot interfere in the administration of the liquidation.

Sahaviriya Steel Industries UK: Redcar

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister about the value of the Government support package for people affected by the closure of the SSI Steelworks in Redcar.

Anna Soubry: The package, worth up to £80 million, announced to support former SSI workers and the Tees Valley economy more broadly was agreed across Government.

Department for International Development

Overseas Aid

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on what grounds UK aid is given to countries on the EU Commission tax haven blacklist.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The Department for International Development has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Aid

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many countries on the EU Commission tax haven blacklist, or identified as zero tax jurisdictions, received UK aid in financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The Department for International Development has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Yazidis

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support the UK is offering to Yazidi people.

Mr Desmond Swayne: UK aid is reaching hundreds of thousands of people across Iraq, including the most vulnerable groups, such as Yazidis. All UK-funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure that no-one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or ethnicity. The UK works with the Government of Iraq, Kurdish Regional Government, the UN and the international community to support the rights of all minorities and to ensure our aid reaches those in greatest need.To date, the UK has committed £79.5 million to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.

Department for Education

Department for Education: Digital Technology

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of efficiency savings arising from her Department's digital strategies in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.

Nick Gibb: As a result of cross government digital and technology strategies, £1.7 billion was saved in 2014-15. This sum was audited against a 2009-10 baseline.

Children's Play

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of provision of play opportunities for children with disabilities and complex needs.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the finding of the report by Sense, entitled The case for play, on the importance of play for the development of children with disabilities and complex needs.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will ensure that spending on play is protected in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.

Edward Timpson: Play has an important role in supporting all young children to develop and prepare for later learning. The importance of play is recognised in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework [1], which states: “Each area of learning and development must be implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.”Early Years educators and Early Years teachers are required to have an understanding of different pedagogical approaches, including the role of play in supporting early learning and development. It is for individual schools and settings to provide opportunities for play for their children and pupils, including those with special educational needs.We welcome the report published by Sense and their continuing efforts to support deafblind children and young people.As the Spending Review is underway, we are unable to give details of which programmes will be funded. We have committed to protecting the core schools budget throughout this Parliament at flat cash per pupil. We will look carefully at the impact of changes in schools’ and early years settings’ costs when making plans for education spending as part of the spending review.[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

Teachers: Training

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of teachers who will be trained in each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education uses the Teacher Supply Model (TSM) to estimate the demand for qualified teachers in active service within state-funded schools in England each year using a range of assumptions, including projections for the numbers of pupils in schools and the number of teachers expected to leave the sector. The TSM then estimates the number of postgraduate Initial Teacher Training places required in England to meet this demand, given the number of entrants expected via routes other than Newly Qualified Teacher (for example, entering as a re-entrant) and the proportion of trainees that will either fail to complete training or gain employment post-training.The 2016/17 version of the TSM, which was used to inform the 2016/17 ITT recruitment process, along with a user guide explaining the methodology in detail, is available at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-supply-model

Pupils: Newark

Robert Jenrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many secondary school aged pupils living in the Newark area travel out of that area to attend secondary schools in (a) Tuxford, (b) Southwell, (c) Bingham, (d) Nottingham and (e) Lincolnshire.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education publishes figures for the number of pupils who attend school in a local authority separate to that in which they reside. This information can be found at GOV.UK[1].The department does not, however, hold data on the movements of pupils between areas smaller than local authorities.Movements of pupils are a factor when considering the availability of school places.[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2015 - the cross border movement matrix tables have figures for each combination of home and school local authority.

Qualifications

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to implement the conclusions of Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation, Cm 9098, published in July 2015, and simplify and streamline the number of qualifications.

Nick Boles: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Teachers: Per Capita Costs

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of the average cost to a (a) school and (b) local authority of employing a (i) teacher and (ii) classroom assistant; and what forecast she has made of that cost in each year from 2016-17 to 2019-20.

Nick Gibb: The government published a statistical release in July 2015, ‘School Workforce in England: November 2014’, which contains the latest statistics on average salaries for teachers employed by schools and local authorities in England. This release can be found online at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2014The latest available statistics on the average salaries of teaching assistants employed by schools and local authorities in England were published in response to PQ856 in June 2015. This can be found online at: www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-02/856/The Department for Education’s pay reforms have given schools greater flexibility to decide how much to pay their teachers and how quickly their pay progresses over time.Future average salaries of teachers will be informed by the annual recommendations of the School Teachers Pay Review Body. The pay of teaching assistants and school support staff are set by schools themselves. The department does not produce forecasts of future average pay for these staff.

Further Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to encourage more teachers with qualifications in English and mathematics to take up posts in further education colleges.

Nick Boles: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much public funding has been spent by Magic Breakfast in each parliamentary constituency to date.

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much from the public purse has been distributed in the UK by Magic Breakfast; and what objectives have been set for that expenditure.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Magic Breakfast currently receive central government funding from a contract with the Department for Education. The objective of the project is to set up and run 184 breakfast clubs in schools where 35% or more children are eligible for free school meals, to ensure that children are fed and are at school on time and ready to learn. Magic Breakfast are required to develop plans to enable the breakfast clubs to be self-sustaining beyond the contract period. The project is being externally evaluated.The value of the contract is £1.087m, of which £518,523 has so far been paid. This is the only central government funding currently provided to Magic Breakfast in England. Any funding in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland would be a matter for the relevant governments. The Department does not hold a breakdown of contract expenditure by parliamentary constituency.

Ministry of Justice

Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many offenders were given fixed-term recalls in the latest year for which information is available; and for which original offences those recalls were given.

Andrew Selous: The number and type of recalls are published in the licence recall tables within the offender management statistics quarterly, found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly.The table below shows fixed term recalls broken down by their index offence category.Number of fixed-term recalls by original offence, 2014Violence against the person546Sexual offences27Robbery622Burglary3,849Theft and handling641Fraud and forgery141Drug offences1,146Motoring offences120Other offences394

Courts: Bridgend

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much has been spent on (a) repairs, (b) physical improvements, (c) technological facilities and (d) Wi-Fi at Bridgend Law Courts in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The information in the table below provides spend relating to (a) repairs (b) and physical improvements at Bridgend Law Courts since 2008/09. It has not been possible to provide information on c) technological facilities and d) Wi-Fi.Financial YearRepairs/Physical Improvements2008/9£25,8942009/10£31,0452010/11£22,7952011/12£24,5492012/13£21,2502013/14£70,4962014/15£153,550The retention period for financial information is six years so it is not possible to provide figures for the financial years prior to 2008/9.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Procurement

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Statement by the Minister for Courts and Legal Aid, of 15 October 2015, HCWS 239, on HM Courts and Tribunals Service, what the total cost to the Exchequer was of the discontinued procurement process referred to in the statement.

Mr Shailesh Vara: As I told the House on 15 October, we took the decision not to outsource HMCTS compliance and enforcement services to a single supplier because of the need to ensure that any contract we let provided the best value for the taxpayer. The total cost of the Compliance and Enforcement Service Project as of end of September 2015 was £8,723,645.

Legal Aid Agency: Temporary Employment

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many temporary agency staff were recruited by the Legal Aid Agency to work on the procurement process for crime duty provider contracts; and what proportion of staff assessing the bids for such contracts were external staff.

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what training was provided to the people who assessed bids for legal aid duty solicitor contracts in administering and assessing such contracts.

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the procurement process for legal aid duty solicitor contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what weighting was given to the (a) disciplinary records of and (b) number of signatures of ongoing complaints against bidders in the procurement process for legal aid duty solicitor contracts.

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of staff assigned to work on the procurement process for crime duty provider contracts had no previous experience of working on public sector procurement.

Mr Shailesh Vara: 13 temporary staff were employed through the Brook Street Agency and a Crown Commercial Services Recruitment framework and were selected by the Legal Aid Agency and interviewed by permanent members of staff to ensure their suitability. These individuals made up 19% of the overall assessment team. In addition contracts were entered into with legal practices to provide additional resource.The key criteria for employment were analytical skills and the ability to conduct a qualitative assessment. A legal or procurement background was considered an advantage but not essential, given that they would be supervised by permanent staff from the Legal Aid Agency.The procurement was undertaken in line with the Public Contract Regulations and applicant organisations were required to pass a number of stages of assessment in order to be considered suitable to hold a duty provider contract. The criteria against which organisations were assessed is set out in the Information For Applicants which govern this procurement process.

Ministry of Justice: Stationery

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the value of stationery that has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in each of the last five fiscal years; and what the cost was of replacing such stationery.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Prison Service: Staff

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what entry level qualifications are required by prison officers.

Andrew Selous: There are no formal educational qualifications required in order to be a Prison Officer. All applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules which govern eligibility for employment in the Civil Service.In addition anyone applying to be a Prison Officer must:successfully complete a Situational Judgment Test and a Recruitment Assessment Dayundergo security and identity checks prior to taking up the postpass a medical examination and a fitness testcomplete the Prison Officer Entry Level Training course

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time is for a disability benefit appeal to reach a tribunal; and what steps he is taking to reduce that average time.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the average time it takes in Birmingham for a disability benefit appeal to reach a tribunal; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that average time on the financial position of appellants.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The First-tier Tribunal – Social Security and Child Support, administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions’ decisions on a range of benefits.HMCTS is unable to provide the information requested as it is not held centrally.

Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the (a) gross and (b) net amount likely to be collected through the criminal courts charge in each of the next five financial years; and how much has been collected since that charge was introduced.

Mr Shailesh Vara: It is right that we find better ways to pay the costs of running our Criminal Courts, and the introduction of this charge has made it possible to recover some of the costs from offenders, which reduces the burden on taxpayers. The Government is, of course, keeping the operation of the Criminal Courts Charge under review.The information requested on estimates can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/796/impacts.Data relating to the Criminal Courts Charge for the period April to September 2015 will be published in an annex to the Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly on gov.uk. This will separately identify the amount collected in the first 6 months since the charge coming into force, from 13 April 2015.

Legal Aid Scheme: Criminal Proceedings

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to take steps in response to recent allegations made by a former employee of the Legal Aid Agency about irregularities regarding the staffing and process in assessing duty tender bids.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The individual making these allegations was a member of temporary staff employed in a junior role. Tenders were awarded following a rigorous and fair process Assessors received comprehensive training, which included a face-to-face instructor-led interactive workshop, undertaken by a permanent member of staff with specific experience of the tender process. This also included undertaking practical exercises in tender evaluation and bid-comparison processes, such as consideration of model answers to assure consistency in assessment. Furthermore, the entire process was subject to careful moderation and management.

Prisoners: Suicide

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cause of death was on each occasion when a person took their own life in prison in each of the last five years.

Andrew Selous: Every death in custody is a tragedy, and we are committed to reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons.Data on deaths in custody is included in the quarterly ‘Safety in Custody’ statistics, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statisticsThese are accompanied by more detailed annual data tables, including, table 1.12 showing the method used in all self-inflicted deaths in prison custody from 1999 to 2014.

Stephen O'Malley

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make representations to his Danish counterpart on reopening the inquest into the death of commercial diver Stephen O'Malley in 2012.

Caroline Dinenage: Under powers in the Coroners Act 1988 (as amended) a new coroner investigation may be ordered by the High Court, with the authority of the Attorney General, where it is in the interests of justice to do so because of fraud, rejection of evidence, irregularity of proceedings or insufficiency of inquiry in the original inquest or new facts or evidence have come to light. It therefore falls outside the responsibility of the Secretary of State.

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Absent Voting

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the efficacy of removing the current policy of absent votes on demand in favour of the previous absent votes criteria for the purpose of preventing electoral fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Gary Streeter: In January 2014, the Electoral Commission published its review of electoral fraud in the UK, which followed research and wide public consultation on a number of proposals for reducing absent voting vulnerabilities, including reversing the current availability of postal voting on demand without a reason or attestation in Great Britain.While some respondents to the Commission’s consultation supported restricting the availability of postal voting on demand to address the risk of electoral fraud, others expressed concern that it would reduce convenience and could mean that some electors would be unable to vote. Respondents also suggested that restricting the availability of postal voting on demand would be disproportionate to the number and scale of proven cases of postal voting fraud.The Commission’s review concluded that restricting the availability of postal voting would remove the freedom for electors to choose a convenient and, for the vast majority, secure, method of voting and on balance did not support changing the availability of postal voting in Great Britain. At the May 2015 UK Parliamentary general election postal votes were issued to around 7.6 million electors in Great Britain, representing nearly 17% of the total electorate. At present, the Commission is aware of 22 cases of alleged electoral fraud at the May 2015 polls involving postal votes. The Commission continues to monitor data about cases of alleged postal voting fraud, and will keep its assessment of the impact of restricting the availability of postal voting under review in light of any new evidence which becomes available.The Commission’s review also considered whether there was a case for further restricting the availability of proxy voting by requiring all proxy applications to be attested; limiting proxy voting to a smaller range of categories of need, such as special category electors; or imposing further limits on the number of electors for whom an individual could be appointed to act as a proxy. Respondents to the Commission’s consultation expressed concern that such restrictions could have an impact on voter participation, especially for disabled voters or those outside the country at the time of the election for whom proxy voting might be the only way in which they are able to vote. On balance, the Commission did not support placing further restrictions on the availability of proxy voting.

Leader of the House

Times of Sittings

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Leader of the House, if he will consult political parties on proposals to change the sitting days of the House during party conferences.

Chris Grayling: The sitting days of the House are kept under review and I would welcome representations on the issue the hon. Gentleman raises, either from individual Members or political parties.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of the £840 million funding for his Department's National Cyber Security Programme has been disbursed to projects exclusively for (a) small businesses and (b) consumers.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) is a comprehensive five-year, £860 million programme which aims to protect and enhance the UK, tackle cyber crime and make the UK one of the safest places in the world to do business online. The cross-Government programme is led by the Cabinet Office, with support from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the Home Office, the security & intelligence agencies and many other Government departments. As such, investment which provides benefits for small businesses and consumers is spread across a wide range of projects and workstreams, as much of the work in the programme meets multiple objectives. A significant proportion of the £860 million is therefore invested in work to protect small businesses and consumers. This includes, but is not restricted to, approximately £14m for projects exclusively for small businesses and consumers, plus over 10% of the NCSP budget to date to build law enforcement capabilities, which includes supporting businesses and the public to stay safe.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment: Low Incomes

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of trends in in-work poverty.

Priti Patel: Work is the best route out of poverty, which is why this government is focused on getting people into employment.With over 2 million more people in work since 2010, and the highest employment rate on record, significant progress has been made.The latest figures show that there are 200,000 fewer people in working families that are in relative low income, than at its peak in 2008/09.The latest figures also show that there are half-a-million more people living in working families and not in relative low income than in the previous year.

Poverty

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reduce poverty in (a) Barnsley Central constituency and (b) other former mining communities.

Priti Patel: This Government is tackling poverty through our new Life Chances agenda. This will drive real action which will make the biggest difference to the most disadvantaged children – now and in the future. This approach will ensure that Government action is focused on tackling the root causes of child poverty - worklessness, educational failure, family breakdown, problem debt and addiction.This Government believes that work is the best route out of poverty and is therefore focused on getting people into employment. With more than two million more people in work than in 2010, and with the number of workless households at a record low, the progress made by this Government has been significant including in Barnsley Central constituency. In the constituency, over the past year, the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, or not in work and claiming Universal Credit, fell by 13 per cent.We do not have specific data on all former mining communities and this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Jobcentre Plus: Plaistow

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to establish whether more senior staff were involved in fraudulent misuse of the Flexible Support Fund since the dismissal of two staff from Plaistow Jobcentre in May 2014.

Priti Patel: Allegations of misuse of the Flexible Support Fund at Plaistow Jobcentre during 2013 and 2014 were investigated fully by the Department's investigators. Investigators also undertook further work, completed in July 2014, which examined whether there was any evidence of wider misuse of the Flexible Support Fund at this office or other offices in the immediate area. Disciplinary action was taken in all cases where evidence of the misuse of the Flexible Support Fund was proven; there was no evidence of misuse by senior officers.

Jobcentre Plus: Plaistow

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014 Plaistow Jobcentre paid from the Flexible Support Fund for a jobseeker's two month Zone 1-4 Transport for London Travelcard.

Priti Patel: The information is not collated centrally as to specific purchases on Flexible Support Fund and would require detailed analysis of transaction reports within London and Greater London. To provide this information could only be done so at disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households who have claimed universal credit have also applied for an alternative payment arrangement for their housing costs; and how many such applications have been successful.

Justin Tomlinson: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit (UC) in September 2013. As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for UC therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future. These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for official statistics.The latest official experimental statistics on UC and the Departments release strategy can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics.

Department for Work and Pensions: Digital Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2015 to Question 13246, what payment is given to libraries to partner with the Department on digital inclusion.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department does not make any direct payments to libraries in relation to partnering on the delivery of digital inclusion.DWP is working with Local Authorities through ‘Universal Support’ to build claimants’ digital capability. Libraries are one potential route for delivering this support, where deemed appropriate by our Local Authority partners.

Department for Work and Pensions: Digital Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2015 to Question 13246 on digital technology, what support universal credit provides for people without digital skills to gain them.

Justin Tomlinson: Those people without digital skills will be offered support through Universal Credit (UC) to make and manage their claims on-line, and also to acquire and improve their digital skills.DWP is also working with Local Authorities to build claimants’ digital capability.

Jobcentre Plus: Food Banks

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has held with food bank providers on his Department's plans to locate job advisers in food banks.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Trussell Trust on the placement of Jobcentre Plus advisers in foodbanks.

Priti Patel: Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches already undertake outreach work every day in local communities. Work Coaches recently began offering back-to-back support in the Lalley Centre in Manchester. Early feedback has been positive. We will reflect on this, and consider if there is potential for expansion

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Private Education

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of serving personnel who have received continuity of education allowance in the last five years were (a) serving overseas and (b) in the UK at the time of claiming that allowance.

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the criteria are for serving armed forces personnel to be eligible to claim the continuity of education allowance.

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel of each rank have claimed the continuity of education allowance in the last five years.

Mark Lancaster: The overarching principles of the Continuous Education Allowance (CEA) are accompanied service and educational continuity, i.e. the claimant must be accompanied by their immediate family at their duty station and a child must complete the stage of education at the school for which the allowance is claimed. CEA is available to all Service personnel irrespective of their rank or assignment location.CEA was reviewed as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 following which improvements in governance achieved a reduction of costs by around £20 million per annum along with an associated reduction in the numbers of claimants both in the UK and overseas. Work continues to further reduce the cost of the allowance.The table below shows the number of Service personnel who have received CEA since 2008 and where they were serving at the time of their claim.Academic YearTotal Claimants*UKOverseas%%2008/095,0804,25684824162009/105,2034,37784826162010/115,1354,35685779152011/124,5883,82083768172012/133,8583,23284626162013/143,4092,82483585172014/153,2012,6028159919* Number of claimants based on Joint Personnel Administration data relating to CEA payments made during the final term (i.e. Summer Term) of each Academic Year 2008/09 to 2014/15.The table below shows the number of Service personnel, by rank who have received CEA since 2008.Nato RankAcademic Year*2008/092009/102010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15Other Rank 242566553393229Other Rank 333467174525139Other Rank 4292289299294245206201Other Rank 6538569568451376313293Other Rank 7554550531461365306306Other Rank 8361397372295251221209Other Rank 9216232221215189155128Officer 110974343Officer 2552570585533419382341Officer 3877884892796679591562Officer 41,0081,002964878743679628Officer 5420418397374338325320Officer 6140143126124121107104Officer 730303230303131Officer 86546866Officer 91310001Total5,0805,2035,1354,5883,8583,4093,201* Number of claimants based on Joint Personnel Administration data relating to CEA payments made during the final term (i.e. Summer Term) of each Academic Year 2008/09 to 2014/15.An explanation of the Nato Rank Code system is available at this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/357724/tri_service_personnel_bulletin_2_01_2014.pdf#page=35

Defence: Expenditure

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which category (a) A, (b) B, and (c) C projects are managed by (i) Navy Command, (ii) Army Command, (iii) Air Command, (iv) Joint Forces Command and (v) the Strategic Programmes Directorate.

Mr Philip Dunne: This information is not held centrally and collating which individual category A, B, and C projects are managed by each of the Front-Line Commands would incur disproportionate cost.Further information on equipment projects can be found in the published Defence Equipment Plan 2015 and Major Projects Authority Annual Report 2015, both of which can be found in the Library of the House.The-Defence-Equipment-Plan-2015Major-Projects-Authority-Annual-Report-2015

Military Aircraft

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is for the (i) A400M, (ii) C-17, (iii) C-130J and (iv) Voyager.

Mr Philip Dunne: Royal Air Force aircraft carry a Basic Crew at all times. This is defined as the minimum crew that can safely operate the aircraft and is laid out in the table below.AircraftCrewC-17PilotCo-PilotWeapons Systems Operators (Crewman (Fixed wing))C-130PilotCo-PilotWeapons Systems Operators (Crewman (Fixed wing))A400MPilotCo-PilotWeapons Systems Operators (Crewman (Fixed wing))VoyagerPilotCo-PilotAppointment to a position in an aircraft is subject to qualification and not rank; although all RAF pilots are Commissioned Officers. Generally, most Weapons Systems Operators (Crewman (Fixed wing)) are Senior Non Commissioned Officers or Warrant Officer in rank, however, these positions may be filled by a Commissioned Officer.The composition of any additional crew is dependent on the task.

Defence: Expenditure

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which ongoing operations are funded by the core defence budget; and what the expenditure on each such operation was in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Michael Fallon: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The costs of military operations are compiled in terms of the net additional costs incurred, which are defined as those which the Department would not have incurred had the operation not taken place. The Department's estimate of the net additional cost of military operations are recorded annually, and can be found in Table 2.3.1 in the Departments' Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15 which is available at the following link;https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/462966/MOD_ARAc_combined_23_Sep_2015_web.pdf

Ministry of Defence: Risk Management

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place a copy of his Department's JSP 892 Risk Management in the Library.

Michael Fallon: I am placing a copy of JSP 892 Risk Management in the Library of the House, but withholding the information it contains on the Ministry of Defence's risk assessment for the purpose of safeguarding national security and the MOD's commercial interests.

Iraq: Military Intervention

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of military operations across Iraq in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt: The net additional cost of Operation SHADER, the name for countering ISIL activity in Iraq and Syria, from the start of operations in August 2014 to the end of the financial year in March 2015 was around £80 million (£35 million of which was allocated for the replenishment cost of munitions to be purchased in 2015-16). For the current financial year, running from April 2015 to March 2016, at Main Estimates the MOD has initially requested a further £45 million.

Military Bases: Operating Costs

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the total operational cost of UK overseas military bases in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt: The operating costs of overseas bases are not held centrally and some cost elements are not immediately available. I have provided statistics for financial years 2011-12 and 2014-15, and will write to the hon. Member shortly to provide the rest of the information.BaseExpenditure 2011-12 (£ million)2014-15 (£ million)Belize2Brunei (1)66Canada68Cyprus257250Diego Garcia3Germany907235Gibraltar7170Kenya41Nepal (2)11South Atlantic Islands9985Notes:(1) The majority of the expenditure is funded by the Sultanate of Brunei.(2) The costs shown are partially offset by income received from UK-delivered training. These figures represent the cost of operating our permanent bases overseas (including stock consumption, infrastructure, welfare and medical, leases, equipment support) and the cost of employment of the personnel based there.Decisions on the UK's permanent military presence overseas will be taken in the Strategic Defence and Security Review. This Government is clear that there will be no reduction in Britain's influence overseas, and Defence will continue to play a strong global role.

Army: Resignations

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many soldiers left the army voluntarily in each year since 2010.

Mark Lancaster: Defence Statistics publish information on a regular basis showing voluntary outflow figures for the Armed Forces, broken down to single Services.Figures for 2010-11 are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/280435/1_january_2013.pdfFigures from 2011-12 to 2014-15 are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426880/QPR_Apr2015.pdfThe most recent information is contained in ‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics September 2015’ and associated tables which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-2015

Ministry of Defence: Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what average time his Department took to respond to freedom of information requests in each year since 2005.

Mark Lancaster: The Government publishes statistics on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 within central government, including on timeliness. These can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.

Home Office

Action Fraud

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of calls received by Action Fraud have resulted in a police investigation to date; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: I refer my Rt. Hon Friend to the answer I gave him on 27th October 2015 to question 12259.It is the responsibility of the local Chief Constable, in conjunction with their Police and Crime Commissioner, to determine the resources they devote to tackling fraud and cyber crimes locally. The Government does not hold data on the proportion of calls received by Action Fraud which result in a police investigation.

Home Office: Senior Civil Servants

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of senior civil servants from her Department are from a lower socio-economic background.

Karen Bradley: In September 2014, the Government published data on the socio-economic status of recent entrants to the SCS:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/359079/socialmobility_revised.pdfThere is an ongoing review into the most effective and appropriate definition for social mobility which we will align with in future years. This work is being led by The Bridge Group, a charitable policy association promoting social mobility, as part of research they are undertaking on social mobility in the Fast Stream. The Outcome of this review will also inform future data collection on socio-economic status more widely and assist us in our further efforts to increase representation of people from less well-off backgrounds at all levels within the civil service.

Home Office: Correspondence

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of substantive replies to hon. Members her Department has answered within the targets it has set for such correspondence since May 2015.

Karen Bradley: The proportion of substantive replies to hon. Members answered within target since 1 May 2015 is 95%

Remembrance Day: Parades

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to ensure that reductions in police funding do not lead to the cancellation of Remembrance Day parades.

Mike Penning: Remembrance ceremonies and parades are an important and valued means by which communities across the country honour the sacrifice of British service personnel. This is not an issue about police funding. The police have never had a policy of routinely policing Remembrance Sunday parades or other special occasions. The management of these events is a matter for event organisers in conjunction with local authorities.

English Language: Scotland

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Qualifications Authority on accreditation of its English for Speakers of other Languages qualifications.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Refugees: Syria

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been identified for resettlement in the UK as part of the vulnerable Syrian refugee resettlement programme since 20 September 2015.

Richard Harrington: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

English Language: Scotland

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on students in Orkney and Shetland of reducing the accredited English language courses available to students in the highlands and islands of Scotland.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Forced Marriage: Convictions

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many convictions there have been relating to forced marriage under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Animal Experiments: Scotland

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 2014, HC 511, published on 22 October 2015, how many animals of each of the species in that paper were subjected to procedures in establishments in Scotland; and what the (a) purpose and (b) level of security was of those procedures.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Animal Experiments: Wales

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 2014, HC 511, published on 22 October 2015, how many animals of each of the species in that paper were subjected to procedures in establishments in Wales; and what the (a) purpose and (b) level of security was of those procedures.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Employment: Organised Crime

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to page 8 of the consultation document Tackling Exploitation in the Labour Market, published in October 2015, if she will publish research conducted by her Department that shows that there has been a shift from abuses of employment regulation towards increasingly organised criminal activity engaged in labour market exploitation over the last 10 years.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Police: Per Capita Costs

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the average cost to a police authority of employing a (a) police officer and (b) police community support officer; and what estimate she has made of that cost in each year from 2016-17 to 2019-20.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Home Office: Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what average time her Department took to respond to freedom of information requests in each year since 2005.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Naturalisation: Fraud

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passports submitted in support of an application for naturalisation as a British citizen were found to have a counterfeit Home Office stamp purporting to grant settlement in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Drug Seizures

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many seizures of illegal drugs took place in the UK in each of the last five years; and what the value was of the drugs seized in each such case.

Mike Penning: ‘Drug Seizures in England and Wales, 2014/15’ was published on 5 November 2015. This statistical release covers the number of drug seizures made by both police forces and Border Force in England and Wales from 2006/07 to 2014/15. The publication can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-2015Data specifically on the number of seizures made by police forces and Border Force in England and Wales in 2014/15 can be found in Summary Table 1 of the data tables.The Home Office does not hold information centrally on the number of drug seizures in Scotland or Northern Ireland.Border Force publishes the number of seizures of drugs at the UK border on Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-force-transparency-data-august-2015The Home Office and Border Force do no hold any information on the value of drugs seized.

Visas: Sponsorship

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 September 2015 to Question 9220, if she will place in the Library a full breakdown of all refusals since May 2015 for each Standard Occupational Classification code.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Hertfordshire Constabulary: Income

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of its annual income has been held in reserve by Hertfordshire police in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Lancashire Constabulary: Income

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of its annual income has been held in reserve by Lancashire Constabulary in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Thames Valley Police: Income

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of its annual income has been held in reserve by Thames Valley Constabulary in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Syria

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many transit visas her Department issued to Syrian nationals in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students: Syria

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many student visas her Department issued to Syrian nationals in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

HM Treasury

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average (a) duration and (b) cost to the caller of a telephone call to HM Revenue and Customs' tax credit telephone lines was in the most recent 12 months for which data is available; and how much revenue was generated from these calls.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not track each customer journey end to end through the phone system, and cannot therefore provide the average duration time as requested.HMRC does not hold information of the cost of a call to its lines. I would refer to my answer given on 13 July 2015 to UIN 5712.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff have been employed to cover HM Revenue and Customs' tax credit telephone lines in each of the past five years for which figures are available.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold this information.HMRC has a number of significant peaks of customer contact every year, and since 2005 it has moved its resources around to meet those seasonal priorities.

Revenue and Customs: ICT

Jo Stevens: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much HM Revenue and Customs spent on (a) IT systems and (b) cyber-security in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14, (v) 2014-15 and (vi) 2015-16 to date.

Mr David Gauke: Reference to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) spending on IT systems can be found within its Annual Report and Accounts, under the Chief Digital and Information Officer Group. For the 2014/15 Annual Report and Accounts, this is on page 145.HMRC’s spending on cyber security work is incorporated within the headline IT expenditure figure.

Employee Ownership

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to permit private equity-backed companies to offer tax-advantaged all employee share plans; and if he will make a statement.

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase participation in all-employee tax-advantaged share plans; and if he will make a statement.

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will ensure that save-as-you-earn and share incentive plan savings limits are increased in line with inflation on an annual basis.

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of how many low and middle income earners save and invest in a save-as-you-earn employee share plan.

Mr David Gauke: The tax-advantaged Save As You Earn (SAYE) and Share Incentive Plan (SIP) limits were significantly increased from April 2014. The increases the Government have made are reasonable, given the average monthly SAYE savings and the value of awards currently made to employees under SIP, and they represent the best use of resources. The Government will continue to keep the SAYE and SIP limits under review.In addition to increasing the SAYE and SIP limits, the rules of the schemes were substantially reviewed and simplified following the recommendations made by the Office of Tax Simplification in March 2012. Last year, the requirement that these schemes must be approved by HM Revenue and Customs to qualify for favourable tax treatment was replaced by self-certification. Coupled with other changes to simplify some technical aspects of the rules, this will make these schemes more attractive to businesses and employees.No data is collected and no estimates are made of the income levels of the participants in SAYE schemes.Permitting private equity backed companies to offer all-employee tax advantaged schemes would be likely to involve significant changes to the rules of the schemes, and there would be a number of other factors to consider carefully, including the increased cost and complexity of any extension.

Balance of Trade

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the size of the current account balance in 2014.

Mr David Gauke: The current account deficit in 2014 was 5.1% of GDP, with this net borrowing from the rest of the world helping fund the budget deficit. The Government’s plan to repair the public finances through fiscal consolidation should in turn improve the current account deficit, as set out in the latest forecasts of the Office for Budget Responsibility.The Government is also working to boost UK exports, including a £20m package of support for first time exporters and working alongside a more effective UKTI and better export finance.

Manufacturing Industries

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects manufacturing output to exceed the level of quarter one in 2008.

Mr David Gauke: The Office for Budget Responsibility, which provides independent forecast for the Government, does not produce a forecast for manufacturing output.Manufacturing has grown 4.1% from the start of 2010, following a 12.5% fall in the financial crisis. The headline manufacturing PMI accelerated to 55.5 in October, recording its fastest expansion rate in two and a half years.

Treasury: Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what average time his Department took to respond to freedom of information requests in each year since 2005.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government publishes statistics on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 within central government, including on timeliness. These can be found at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformationquarterly-archive.htmhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.dca.gov.uk/foi/reference/statisticsAndReports.htm

Apprentices: Taxation

Helen Jones: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the level at which the apprenticeship levy should be set; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Hands: Treasury Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations as part of the process of policy development. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm. We had a full public consultation on the implementation of the levy and are considering those representations now. Further details will be announced at the Spending Review.

Apprentices: Taxation

Helen Jones: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount which the proposed apprenticeship levy will raise in (a) Warrington and (b) the North-West.

Greg Hands: Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of our skills system. The levy will drive growth in quality and quantity in apprenticeships and further details will be set out at the Spending Review. Provisional information shows that there have been 6,470 apprenticeship starts in Warrington North since May 2010. There have been over 78,000 apprenticeship starts in the North West over the same period with a 51% increase in starts from 2009/10 to 2013/14. The levy will ensure we can build on that success over the next five years by putting the funding of apprenticeships in the hands of employers in the North West.

Educational Institutions: Productivity

Seema Malhotra: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effects (a) to date and (b) in the future of the institutes of technology on UK productivity.

Greg Hands: This government’s Productivity Plan responds to the UK's long-standing productivity gap compared to other some countries. The Institutes of Technology will seek to improve the UK’s performance on intermediate professional and technical skills. It will focus on the higher level skills employers demand, and will provide high-standard provision at levels 3, 4 and 5 – as part of a transformed skills system which is better able to meet local economic needs.

Landfill Communities Fund

Mrs Maria Miller: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the objectives and value of the Landfill Communities Fund; what assessment he has made of progress in the reform process of that fund; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Gauke: Since its introduction in 1996, the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) has contributed over £1.4bn to community projects in areas affected by a local landfill site, it has a significant impact on the communities that benefit. However, as the LCF is a tax credit scheme, it reduces the Government's tax revenues and we therefore have an ongoing responsibility to seek value for money for the taxpayer.An HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) consultation on proposals to reform the LCF closed on 10 June. The proposals were designed to improve the flow of LCF money to communities. This is because large amounts of unspent funds – worth twice the annual value of the LCF – had accumulated. The proposals were developed by a government-sector working group including representatives of landfill site operators and those receiving LCF funding.HMRC are currently reviewing responses to the consultation on the reform proposals, and will publish a response document in due course. Any changes to the LCF will take into account the views of those who responded. However, it is also important that those involved in the sector show they are willing to make changes to ensure that money reaches communities quickly and effectively.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Fracking

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many sites are approved for fracking in England and Wales; what the location is of each such site; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: Licensing and consent of onshore oil and gas activities in England is now a matter for the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences are not specific to shale gas. They grant exclusive rights to extract hydrocarbons, including shale gas but also other hydrocarbons, within a particular onshore area. A separate consent from the OGA is required before any drilling or hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can take place, as well as planning permission, environmental permits and review of the well design by the Health and Safety Executive.The OGA does not have any undetermined consent applications.

Fracking: Drinking Water

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 2 November 2015 to Question 13491, if she will make it her policy to designate all the areas supplying aquifers used for drinking water as Source Protection Zones 1.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 05 November 2015



Source Protection Zones identify the area of an aquifer that provides the water abstracted at the drinking water supply borehole. Source Protection Zones 1 (SPZ1) are the area within which pollution would take less than 50 days to reach an abstraction point and where the consequences of groundwater pollution would therefore be greatest. They are used by the Environment Agency as a tool for regulation. The Environment Agency will not permit drilling for oil or gas in an SPZ1. Outside SPZ1s the Environment Agency will require a site specific risk assessment and will only permit drilling for oil or gas if it is satisfied that there is no significant risk to supplies of drinking water and no unacceptable impact on groundwater.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many complaints the Energy Ombudsman has received about post-installation delays for feed-in tariff payments to customers by energy companies.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 05 November 2015



This is a matter for the Energy Ombudsman. I have asked them to write directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of their response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Fracking

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the proportion of total UK energy production likely to be sourced from fracking in each of the next five years.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Electricity Interconnectors

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) all UK electricity generators and operators and (b) developers of gas plants are able to compete on a level playing field after the planned increase in interconnector capacity after 2020.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Electricity Interconnectors

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that new interconnector capacity is supported by robust cost analyses.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cabinet Office

Opiates: Overdoses

Paul Flynn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of fatal opioid overdoses in the UK.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Fatal Overdose
(PDF Document, 139.61 KB)

House of Lords Composition

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is the Government's policy to increase the membership of the House of Lords by over 100 members during the course of this Parliament.

John Penrose: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cabinet Office: Public Appointments

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2015 to Question 11489, if he will make available the minutes of the Data Steering Group.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2015 to Question 11489, when the Chief Data Officer will be appointed.

Matthew Hancock: The Data Steering Group has been established, chaired by the National Statistician, John Pullinger, which brings together leading experts to advise government on the strategic direction of the new Government Data Programme. Notes of these meetings will be made available on the Government Data Programme blog page on GOV.UK in due course.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Biofuels

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of UK agricultural output was used in the production of biofuels in each year from 2000-01 to 2014-15.

George Eustice: Statistics on the proportion of UK crops used for biofuel production are only available from 2012. Figures for 2012 and 2013 are given in the attached table. 2014 data is to be published on GOV.UK this December.



Biofuel production
(PDF Document, 65.45 KB)

Food: Waste

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2015 to Question 14012, what estimate her Department has made of the amount spent on the Waste and Resources Action Programme in each year since that programme's inception; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: WRAP receives funds from Defra, the Devolved Administrations, the European Union and businesses and from international work.WRAP was established in 2000 with £6m of funding from Defra. The table below shows Defra’s funding for WRAP since 2000-01:Annual Defra Funding (£m) per Financial Year2001-022002-032003-042004-052005-062007-082008-0961024456859432009-102010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-1644533728251713The reductions in Defra funding since 2010 reflect the need to tackle the deficit alongside a growing awareness from businesses of the opportunities to realise commercial benefits from improved resource efficiency.WRAP continues to deliver an ambitious programme highly regarded by the business community, Local Authorities, NGOs and others.

Department of Health

Doctors

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many doctors have requested a certificate of current professional status in each of the last five years.

Ben Gummer: The information requested is not held centrally. Information from the General Medical Council is available about the number of doctors that have been issued certificates of current professional status in each of the last five full calendar years. This is shown in the table.YearNumber20104,35220114,83220125,16320135,14220144,925Source: General Medical Council

Mental Health Services

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from mental health charities on the adequacy of mental health provision in NHS services; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Ministers and Departmental officials regularly meet with various stakeholders, including charities, to discuss how to improve mental health services in the NHS. We will continue to seek opportunities to enhance the charitable sector’s valuable role in providing support to people with mental illness and their carers and families.The independent Mental Health Taskforce, which is chaired by the Chief Executive of Mind, brings together health and care leaders and experts in the field, including people using services, to lead a programme of work to create a mental health Five Year Forward View for the NHS in England.

Mental Health: Older People

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of elderly people experiencing loneliness.

Alistair Burt: The Government has not made an estimate of the number of elderly people experiencing loneliness, but recognises that in an increasingly mobile and more fractured society, isolation and loneliness is a significant social issue.Through the Care Act 2014 the Government has placed a duty on local authorities to have measures in place to identify people in their area who would benefit from universal services to help reduce, delay or prevent needs for care and support. This includes needs that may arise from loneliness and social isolation.Given the complexity of loneliness and the different ways that people are affected there is no single solution that can tackle loneliness and having a range of interventions and solutions is helpful. The Department has funded the Social Care Institute for Excellence to develop and run the Prevention Library which includes examples of emerging practice to prevent, reduce or delay peoples care and support needs from deteriorating.The Department has supported a ‘digital toolkit’ for local commissioners, which was developed by the Campaign to End Loneliness, and is now incorporated in their guidance Loneliness and Isolation: Guidance for Local Authorities and Commissioners. This supports commissioners in understanding, mapping and commissioning for loneliness and social isolation in their communities, and includes promising approaches to tackling loneliness.We are building a better understanding of how prevention can maintain people’s wellbeing and the evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions is expanding. Through the Prevention Library local authorities can learn from emerging practice, and exchange ideas and experience of the impact of information, advice and befriending services.

Agency Nurses

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much NHS England spent on agency nurses in each of the last three years.

Alistair Burt: The information that has been requested is not recorded centrally by the Department of Health or NHS England.

General Practitioners

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the merits of including GPs on the occupation shortage list.

Ben Gummer: There have not been any specific discussions with the Home Office about the merits of including general practitioners (GPs) on the national shortage occupation list.In 2014 the Department of Health commissioned the Centre for Workforce Intelligence to engage with stakeholders and report to the Migration Advisory Committee in response to their call for evidence. Although the Centre for Workforce Intelligence report recommended the inclusion of GPs on the 2015 shortage occupation list, the Migration Advisory Committee concluded that there was insufficient evidence at that time.International recruitment of GPs under Tier 2 of the immigration points-based system continues to be an option for employers where genuine and continued difficulties exist in meeting demand from domestic and European Economic Area supply.

General Practitioners

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what regions he has identified as having a shortage of GPs; and what steps he is taking to address those shortfalls.

Alistair Burt: Health Education England (HEE) has advised that they have identified six local offices experiencing low fill rates of general practitioner (GP) trainees. These are: Yorkshire; East Midlands; West Midlands; North East; East of England; and HEE Wessex (Isle of Wight only).Data on GP vacancies is not currently held but collection of this data is under development by the Department and the Health and Social Care Information Centre as part of the Workforce Minimum Dataset.NHS England, HEE, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association’s GPs Committee are working closely together to ensure that there is a skilled, trained and motivated workforce in general practice. In January 2015, the four organisations jointly published a ten point action plan to address immediate issues, and to take the initial steps in building the workforce for the future and new models of care.There are three strands to this work: improving recruitment into general practice; retaining doctors within general practice; supporting those who wish to return to general practice.As part of the plan, NHS England launched a new national returner scheme, which has attracted 120 applicants so far. A marketing campaign to highlight the benefits of a career in general practice was launched in September 2015. Further initiatives will be announced by the ten point plan partners in due course.The plan, “Building the Workforce” is available on NHS England’s website:https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/building-the-workforce-new-deal-gp.pdf

Medicine: Education

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a career in medicine.

Ben Gummer: The Government has set out in its Mandate to Health Education England (HEE) the need to improve access to healthcare education and employment within the health sector for underrepresented groups, which includes those from disadvantaged backgrounds.HEE’s ‘Widening Participation: It Matters’ strategy is in place to drive widening participation through partnership working. The strategy’s purpose is to ensure that the National Health Service workforce is more representative of the communities it seeks to serve and that personal development and progression is based upon merit, ability and motivation and not social background, nepotism or privilege.HEE has also been working with the Medical Schools Council, in partnership with the Sutton Trust in extending the Pathways to Medicine Programme and the Social Mobility Foundation in supporting disadvantaged participants interested in a medical career.The Department has also worked with the Medical Schools Council and other key groups to produce the “Selecting for Excellence” report which looks to highlight areas for Medical Schools to consider and tackle around widening participation in to UK medical schools a copy of which can be access from:http://www.medschools.ac.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Selecting-for-Excellence-Final-Report.pdf

Doctors: Retirement

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what analysis his Department has conducted or commissioned on the number of doctors likely to retire in the next five years; and what assessment his Department has made of whether sufficient numbers of doctors are in training to maintain current service levels.

Ben Gummer: The Centre for Workforce Intelligence medical workforce modelling, estimates that around 13,500 consultants and general practitioners (GPs) in England will retire in the five years from 2015 to 2019 inclusive.Taking account of expected retirements the consultant and GP workforce is projected to grow by around 9,400 posts by 2019, or 2.2% per annum, which is a considerably faster rate of growth than that projected baseline demand for healthcare services (reflecting population growth and the ageing of the population) over this period.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on the potential numbers for junior doctors who may leave the NHS should a new contract for that role be imposed.

Ben Gummer: The Government has received a number of representations from individuals and on behalf of organisations about the introduction of a new junior doctors contract.The proposals are for a fairer contract that will maintain average earnings and will not require juniors to work longer. It will also put in place improved safeguards for patients and doctors that go beyond those in legislation (and go beyond those in the current contract) that will reduce maximum working hours which will not be the case in other countries. On 28 October, the Government also committed to protect the pay of all junior doctors working safe hours in the transition to a new contract, and appealed to the British Medical Association (BMA) to return to negotiations.

NHS: Drugs

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of drugs available on the NHS for the treatment of people diagnosed with (a) MS and (b) Alzheimer's disease.

George Freeman: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body which makes decisions on the clinical and cost effectiveness of drugs based on a thorough assessment of the best available evidence. National Health Service commissioners are required to fund drugs and treatments recommended by NICE technology appraisals.NICE has recommended a number of drugs as treatment options for multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease and further information is available at:www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/neurological-conditions

Drugs: Licensing

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to secure licences for existing off-patent drugs.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many licences the Government has secured for off-patent drugs in each of the last five years.

George Freeman: The Government does not normally apply for medicines licenses, which is rightly an obligation of the company who has developed the drug. The Secretary of State is the United Kingdom licensing authority for medicines and cannot become a routine applicant to himself nor can he become a routine participant in pharmaceutical markets which holders of licenses are obliged to do. The Government has not secured any licenses for off-patent drugs in the past five years.

Drugs: Licensing

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to support and promote the (a) use and (b) continued production and purchase of existing off-patent drugs.

George Freeman: Existing arrangements allow patients to access the medicines which are appropriate for their care, including off-patent drugs. Doctors may prescribe any drug, whether within the terms of its license or not, where it best meets the individual clinical needs of a patient. Medicines are already prescribed legally, safely and appropriately outside their licensed indications to large numbers of National Health Service patients.The Department works closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, NHS England, the pharmaceutical industry and others in the supply chain to help ensure continuity in the supply of medicines to patients.

Medical Treatments: Finance

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his policy for NHS England to require individual funding requests to be made when treatment is permitted by the relevant commissioning policy.

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the suitability of individual funding requests for preventive treatments and the criteria to demonstrate exceptional clinical circumstances in relation to such requests.

George Freeman: NHS England has advised that if there is a commissioning policy in place for a treatment, and the patient fulfils the treatment criteria contained within this, then an individual funding request (IFR) is not required, as the treatment will be routinely funded. It is only if the patient’s treatment falls outside of the criteria that an IFR would be appropriate or if there is no policy in place for the treatment/indication.Neither the Department nor NHS England has made any assessment of the suitability of IFRs for preventative treatments.

Nurses

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's definition is of an advanced nurse practitioner.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect on advanced nurse practitioners of proposed adjustments of GPs working hours.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect on advanced nurse practitioners of his plans for a seven-day NHS.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to support advanced nurse practitioners in the NHS.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many advanced nurse practitioners were employed by the NHS in each region of the UK in each of the last five years.

Ben Gummer: An advanced nurse practitioner is generally accepted to be a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context of practice. A Master’s Degree is recommended for entry level to an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANPs) role. This role is not defined by the Nursing Midwifery Council or the Department.Today ANPs work in a variety of health care settings and in a number of different roles, which range from a nurse consultant managing a specialist service in a hospital to being a nurse partner within a general practice.Information on how many ANPs are employed by the National Health Service in each region of the United Kingdom in each of the last five years is not held by the Department.We have made it clear that we are not planning to impose a ‘one size fits all model’ for our plan to provide a seven-day NHS. It will be for local commissioners and providers to decide how best to deliver seven day services in hospitals and for them to work with their Local Education and Training Boards to develop workforce plans to support this.Although not explicitly mentioned in NHS England’s Five Year Forward view, ANPs are part of the solution to addressing the health and well-being gap; care and quality gap; and funding gap. For example, ANPs are involved in the new care models such as in Derbyshire. The Derbyshire Vanguard site will develop a prevention team made up of health and care professionals including general practitioners (GPs), ANPs, mental health nurses, extended care support and therapy support.Seven day access does not mean that every GP must work every day or that all practices must open at evenings and weekends. Through schemes such as the Prime Minister’s GP Access Fund, practices are encouraged to collaborate together in delivering more convenient and accessible services for patients in the evenings and weekends through multiple methods including innovative use of technology, working together at scale, and better use of skill mix to both improve patient care and release GP capacity.The recent independent evaluation of the first wave of the PM’s GP Access Fund reported that “evidence to date suggests that the strategy of making more use of nursing staff, particularly Advance Nurse Practitioners (ANPs), is resulting in benefits including released GP capacity…”

Junior Doctors: Training

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost to the NHS is of educating and training a junior doctor.

Ben Gummer: The Department does not hold information on the average cost to the taxpayer of training someone to become a junior doctor.The Personal Social Services Research Unit at the University of Kent estimates within their report ‘Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2014’, published in March 2014, that the average cost in 2013/14 of training to become a general practitioner is £485,390, with the consultant training cost being £726,551. These figures reflect the pre-registration costs of tuition, living expenses/lost production and clinical placements and the post-graduate costs of tuition and replacement costs not the average cost to the taxpayer.

Mental Health

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will hold discussions with the devolved administrations on sharing best practice on steps to reduce (a) self-harm and (b) suicide rates.

Alistair Burt: Departmental officials are in regular contact with colleagues in devolved administrations, sharing best information on suicide and self-harm prevention around cross-cutting issues.

Junior Doctors: Pay

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral contribution of 28 October 2015, Official Report, column 429, on junior doctors' pay, what assessment he has made of the proportion of the junior doctor workforce that will not have their pay reduced.

Ben Gummer: Our offer for a new contract for junior doctors guarantees that the 99% of junior doctors who work legal and safe hours will not receive a pay cut compared to their current contract.

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the first patients to be treated in new facilities  at Royal Sussex County Hospital as part of the 3Ts modernisation project.

George Freeman: It is anticipated that the first stage of the £480 million redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital site will be completed and start to be used for the treatment of patients in the spring of 2020.This includes 316 inpatient beds forneurology, neurosurgery, stroke, medicine, care of the elderly, critical care and assessment beds to support the hospital’s Emergency Department. This will greatly improve the accommodation for patients in Brighton & Hove, across Sussex and beyond.Patients will start to see the benefits of the redevelopment in April 2016 when the temporary facilities currently being built on the hospital site start to come into operation.

Junior Doctors

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the total amount that will be spent on pay for junior doctors in 2015-16; and how many junior doctors will be employed in that year.

Ben Gummer: Data on the junior doctor paybill for 2015/2016 and those that will be employed over this financial year is not yet available.The latest data available relates to the financial year 2014/2015. For that year the substantive junior doctor paybill was £3.1 billion; and there were an average of around 53,000 full-time-equivalent junior doctors employed over the year.

Health Professions: Recruitment

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent estimate he has made of the average cost to the NHS of employing a (a) nurse, (b) midwife and (c) doctor; and what forecast he has made of that cost in each year from 2016-17 to 2019-20.

Alistair Burt: Information is available for 2014/15 and is set out in the following table:Estimated Average Cost per Full-Time EquivalentQualified nurses, midwives and health visitors£42,100Midwives£45,900All hospital and community health services doctors£96,200Notes:Separate figures for qualified nurses are not available. Costs include employer national insurance and pension contributions but not other costs such as recruitment and training (which is not collected centrally).Source: Department of Health’s Headline HCHS Pay bill Metrics, which are based primarily on earnings statistics published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, supplemented by employer pension and national insurance contributions estimates informed by unpublished and unvalidated data from the Electronic Staff Record Data Warehouse.Future costs will depend on the outcome of the Spending Review and pay recommendations of the independent Pay Review Bodies.

Mental Health Services

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many publicly-funded cognitive behavioural therapy appointments took place in each clinical commissioning group area in England in each year since 2010.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for a cognitive behavioural therapy appointment was in (a) Halton, (b) Merseyside and (c) England in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alistair Burt: The attachment ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Cognitive Behavioural Therapy appointments by CCG’ contains the latest data available on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) appointments in clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).We do not collect the information as requested for Merseyside. The attachment ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Average – mean - waiting time Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’ contains the latest data available on the average waiting time for a CBT appointment in all CCGs, NHS Halton CCG and other CCGs in the Merseyside area.



IAPT CBT appointments by CCG
(Excel SpreadSheet, 58.9 KB)




IAPT average mean waiting time CBT
(Excel SpreadSheet, 44.98 KB)

Health Services: Older People

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has spent on health and social care for people aged over 65 in each year since 2009-10.

Alistair Burt: The table below shows the current expenditure on healthcare for people aged over 65 since 2009/10. This covers total spend on secondary healthcare, primary medical services and prescribing services. Data for 2013/14 and 2014/15 is not available in the format requested.Gross Current Expenditure on health care for people aged 65 and over (£000s)2009/1078,414,5432010/1182,091,8322011/1284,768,8742012/1385,821,639Expenditure on social care for people aged over 65 since 2009/10 from local government funding sources is available on the Health and Social Care Information Centre(HSCIC) (in full) website at the following link. In addition, the National Health Service transferred almost £3.5 billion to local authorities for expenditure on social care, including a transfer worth £1.1 billion in 2014/15. Data is not collected to show how much of this spend is for the elderly compared to working age adults with social care needs.http://www.hscic.gov.uk/searchcatalogue?topics=2/Social+care/Social+care+expenditure/Personal+Social+Services+expenditure&sort=Most+recent&size=10&page=1#topFor 2014/15 HSCIC published provisional data for social care expenditure on 16 September 2015. This can be found at the following link. This is not comparable to previous years because of a change in reporting requirements.http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/pssexpcosts1415

Junior Doctors: Working Hours

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of junior doctors currently not working weekends.

Ben Gummer: This information is not held centrally.Data gathered by NHS Employers for the purposes of developing proposals on junior doctors’ contract reform (and published in evidence to the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration) suggested that junior doctors are rostered to work an average of 63% fewer total hours on a weekend day compared to a week day.